Magnetic pole. See under Magnetic. — Poles of the earth, or Terrestrial poles(Geog.), the two opposite points on the earth's surface through which its axis passes. — Poles of the heavens, or Celestial poles, the two opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide with the earth's axis produced, and about which the heavens appear to revolve.

Poleax
(Pole"ax`, Pole"axe`) n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See Poll head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; — used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.

Polecat
(Pole"cat`) n. [Probably fr. F. poule hen, and originally, a poultry cat, because it feeds on poultry. See Poultry.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small European carnivore of the Weasel family (Putorius fœtidus). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called also fitchet, foulmart, and European ferret. (b) The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Poledavy
(Pole"da`vy) n. [Etymology uncertain.] A sort of coarse canvas; poldway. [Obs.] Howell.

Poleless
(Pole"less), a. Without a pole; as, a poleless chariot.

Polemarch
(Pol"e*march) n. [Gr. war + leader, from to be first.] (Gr. Antiq.) In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high military and civil officer.

Polemic
(Po*lem"ic) a. [Gr. warlike, fr. war: cf. F. polémique.]

1. Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

2. Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer. South.

Polemic
(Po*lem"ic), n.

1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic.
Macaulay.

2. A polemic argument or controversy.

Polemical
(Po*lem"ic*al) a. Polemic; controversial; disputatious. — Po*lem"ic*al*ly, adv.

Polemical and impertinent disputations.
Jer. Taylor.

Polemicist
(Po*lem"i*cist) n. A polemic. [R.]

Polemics
(Po*lem"ics) n. [Cf. F. polémique.] The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

Polemist
(Pol"e*mist) n. A polemic. [R.]

4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic]

Shoots against the dusky pole.
Milton.

5. (Geom.) See Polarity, and Polar, n.
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